Republican throw-downs in the Senate race

Railroad Commissioners Elizabeth Ames Jones and Michael Williams, both Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, weighed in today with a little campaign rhetoric.

This from Jones:

In response to the White House’s blog post last week “Facts Are Stubborn Things,” Commissioner Jones sent an email to the White House at their “fishy” information tracking address: flag@whitehouse.gov.

“After reading that President Obama is enlisting the help of average Americans to report people who disseminate information about the President’s health care plan that is different from his talking points, even in emails or mentioned in casual conversation, I knew I should turn myself in. In my email, I advised the White House that I am one of “the people” they are looking for because I have spoken out against Obama’s health care plan, and I invited them to call me to discuss,” explained Commissioner Jones.

She went on to say, “it is unconscionable that the Obama administration would use the power of the office of the White House in such a fashion. The idea that Americans should snitch on those who are in disagreement with the President is outrageous. Encouraging Americans to report the political views of neighbors to the government is a frightening step in the wrong direction for any American President.”

Meanwhile, Williams was trying to stir things up with a hit on the Democrats in the race, Houston Mayor Bill White and former Comptroller John Sharp:

U.S. Senate candidate Michael Williams today called on the Obama Democrats in the campaign for the United States Senate – Bill White and John Sharp – to join him in denouncing President Obama’s White House intimidation tactics to quell legitimate debate about health care reform.

The White House has released an email address for their supporters to forward e-mail messages and e-mail addresses of vocal dissenters of the President’s nationalized health care plan.

“Nixonian watch list tactics have no place in a thoughtful debate about health care costs,” said Williams. “I invite the Democratic candidates in the race for U.S. Senate to join me in publicly denouncing President Obama’s efforts to collect names of citizens who oppose their government-run health care scheme.”

“Texans deserve to know who will stand up for principle, and who will hide behind their party leader and vote lock-step according to his commands,” Williams said.